At their best, a set of fitted wardrobes can change the wardrobe from storage to centerpiece – intelligent use of space, suitable handles and a striking finish, all these factors serve to transform what might have been a humble carcass wardrobe into something that is an organic element of the room, and is at the same superior in functionality.

Now, firstly, to solve a quibble: many companies claim to deliver bespoke design, but as there is no independent bespoke authority out there, different companies disagree on what should be expected of them if they tote this self-accolade. Bespoke means something ‘bespoken’, i.e. already agreed upon before hand, for example the tailoring of a suit of clothes. In that sense, anything made with a contract is ‘bespoken’. It is therefore wise to ask a company how they define ‘bespoke’ to quickly find out whether they custom-make their wardrobes from scratch, or simply alter shop-bought carcasses.

Confident that we’ve found the genuine article, we can get down to the task of planning and designing our fitted wardrobes. Will the supplier really solve that inclined ceiling problem in his design, or was that just a bit of rhetoric serving to make the brochure a little more fancy? Having agreed upon the definition of bespoke, they’ve essentially agreed on their level of commitment, so make sure they’ll go the whole way. Areas like top infils or sliding wardrobe requirements take time and forethought to properly pull off, and you’ll want to talk with someone from the supplier about the design beforehand.

Inside: the fixity or adaptability of your wardrobes will depend entirely on your needs – do you tend to replace clothes, keeping roughly the same number of them, or are you currently expanding your… ahem… wardrobe? Moulds and cells can be designed in a manner whereby they can be changed and expanded over time, but not after the design is agreed upon, of course, so factor it in.
Possibly the most enjoyable part of the design is the aesthetic bit. Having at your command a range of materials, working colour schemes and finishes is a great way to inspire you to matching the wardrobes with the room – after all, you’re having fitted ones so they fit more than just the space. Create a real fashion edifice with reflective panels or tinted glass frontispieces, or use textured wood to create a discreet and fluid form describing the shape of the room but not interrupting it. A good supplier will lay all options at your fingertips; you shouldn’t have to do much digging around here.

Finally, you’ll want to know what the handles of your wardrobes will be like, and how they complement the look and feel of the unit. As every design is different, you’ll want a great choice of handle solutions to match the shape or to continue the theme of an existing bedroom design. Be confident and discuss the possibility of bespoke solutions here too – a good design could be both individual and intuitive to the overall design.
Getting the design just right should be a team effort between your needs and the experience of the supplier, so keep that in mind as you work. That way, you’re sure to find the fit that’s perfect for you.